2012, the year gone by

2012 seemed both long and short at the same time, filled with spectacular moments of joy and sadness - but mostly, I loved it. Better late than never, here's a recap of some of my highlights.

Clockwise from top left: A trip to Dublin - Going on an egg hunt - A blustery day in Brighton - Climbing to the top of Glastonbury Tor (which I hope to do again this year) - The Hobbs AW12 press day - The Boy's birthday - The Nelly launch party with my wonderful girls - My very first homemade trifle

Clockwise from top left: Anti-gravity yoga (the most hilarious form of exercise ever) - Drinks on the rooftops of London town - All things Jubilee - A sunny day in Richmond - Rollarcoasters with Zsa for The Boy's birthday - Canoeing with family and friends - A trip down the river - The work Jubilee lunch

Clockwise from top left: A gorgeous wedding in France - Ballgowns at the V&A - A fantastic family holiday - Seeing the Swans of Wells - Sunrise over the gardens - Picnics in the park - Olympic fever comes to London - Welcoming the Olympics with drinks and dancing...on a boat

 Clockwise from top left: Miss Kimber becomes Mrs Holloway - A sunny trip to Bicester - Another amazing wedding - The Shining in West Brompton Cemetary - The most amazing birthday cake ever - Bobby and Caroline tie the knot - Afternoon tea for my birthday - A disastrous (but hilarious) cocktail making class

Clockwise from top left: Running the Royal Parks Half Marathon - Sheep on Oxford Street for Wool Week - My last night with the Hobbs girls - Wells carnival - Christmas in Manchester- The gift I've waited all year for - Grandad's 90th birthday - The Boy and I, ready for our close up

Sorry for all the pictures but 2012 had so many magical moments it was hard to narrow it down to only a few!

Let them eat cake

Whilst visiting Dublin a few weeks ago The Boy decided to treat me to a break from the pubs and take me for afternoon tea at a gorgeous little tea shop, The Cake Cafe. Somewhat off the beaten track, The Cake Cafe is the place Dubliners in the know head to for wholesome homemade food in a relaxed and friendly indoors/outdoors setting. Even though it was February, due to the unseasonably warm weather The Boy and I were able to sit at one of the outside tables for a cup of tea and a slice or two of cake. Having taken a trip inside to peruse what was on offer, in my usual indecisive mindset I went for afternoon tea, which came with a pot of your choice of tea from a seemingly never ending list, and a selection of cakes. The miss-matched china and homemade cakes reminded me somewhat of Drink Shop Do (one of Zsa and I's favourite haunts for a spot of Sunday brunch in London) so I already felt right at home. The cakes were to die for (the chocolate fudge cake was my fave, although all were delicious) and offered great value for money as the slices were far from small. 

Having visited Dublin before, I've found that it can be easy as a tourist to stick to the Temple bar area sampling the Guinness meaning you miss out on a lot of what the city has to over, like The Cake Cafe. My advice when visiting any city is this: take a trip off the beaten tourist track and you never know what hidden gems you might find.

ABOVE: The Cafe Cafe till; inside it was very busy; The Cake Cafe bike, ready to deliver to the local area; the only clue of what's ahead; cakes galore; there's nothing like a cup of tea.

Visit The Cake Cafe at Pleasants Place, Dublin, find full directions here

A little Irish gem

Whilst in Dublin this past weekend, aside from eating and drinking like there was no tomorrow, I found time to drag The Boy around an amazing store called Avoca that had been recommended to me by a friend. I’m all for a spot of shopping on a weekend away, especially if it involves discovering somewhere that is a bit more off the beaten track than your average high street store. On this occasion I didn’t actually buy anything (due not entirely to the no-shopping-pledge, mostly just because of my lack of money) but the entire shop was just so “me” I found it inspiring all the same. Avoca is something of an emporium where gorgeous homewares nestle alongside the most amazing café and food store selling homemade jams, soups and cakes. I’m the kind of girl that will always seek out quirky gifts and gadgets and this shop was literally like someone had followed me around for my whole life and picked out anything I’d ever showed an interest in and gathered them all together in one place.

If you’re in Dublin, Avoca on Suffolk Street is well worth checking out.